RICHMOND — The Edison softball team shook off a shaky start against Brooke before pulling away to remain undefeated.

After falling behind by three runs, the Wildcats responded and built a nine-run advantage before ultimately doubling up the Bruins, 14-7, on a chilly Tuesday evening out at the Edison Unified Sports Complex.

“I am happy with the win, but we have some areas we need to improve upon,” Edison (2-0) head coach McKenzie Morrison said. “We did not play our best softball today, that’s for sure.”

The Bruins plated three runs in the top of the first inning, and they led 3-2 going into the bottom of the third before the hosts erupted for five runs in the inning to take control of the ballgame.

“That has been the story of our season; we have one bad inning and that puts us out of it,” Brooke (1-5) head coach Tommy Diserio said. “We have to capitalize on our strong start, so we can offset that one bad inning. We have to stay hot at the plate. It’s mental errors. We are very athletic, but we are just making mental errors.” 

After falling behind 3-0, the hosts scored a run in each of the first two innings to close the gap to 3-2 before scoring five times in the third to take the lead at 7-3. It was a lead the team did not relinquish. 

The Silver-and-Black belted a pair of home runs in the fourth to increase their advantage out to 10-3. The visitors answered with two runs in the fifth to make the score, 10-5 before the victors recorded four runs in the fifth to extend their advantage to 14-5. Edison had a chance to end the game via mercy rule, but the girls in green were able to record the third out to extend the game.

“Our girls are solid at the plate, but there is still room to improve and get better,” Morrison said.

Brooke countered with two more runs in the sixth to make it 14-7, but it was not able to get any closer the rest of the way.

“Our bats got going again late in the game,” Diserio said. “We just ran out of innings.”

Both teams used multiple pitchers.

Bristol Leanza started inside the circle for the Wildcats, and the senior pitched the first five innings to pick up the win. She struck out four while walking three. Junior Gwen Stine came on in relief, and she pitched the final two innings. Stine did not record a strikeout or issue a walk. 

“Our pitchers threw pretty well,” Morrison said. “They threw strikes.”

Edison’s pitchers are gaining experience pitching at the varsity level.

“They are improving every day,” Morrison said.

Eden McKinney started the game in the circle, and the sophomore was saddled with the loss. She struck out one while walking one in 2 1/3 innings of work. She was replaced with one out in the third by classmate Gabby Hornick. Hornick did not record a strikeout or walk a batter in her 1 2/3 innings of relief. Finally, junior Avery Rado pitched the final two innings. she struck out two and walked one.

The Wildcats outhit the visitors from Brooke County, 14-10. The winners recorded four extra-base hits – two of which were home runs — in the game, while the Bruins netted three extra-base hits — one of which was a home run.

Offensively for Edison, catcher Alivia Hanlin contributed a single, a double, a home run and six RBI, Abby Boka belted a single and a solo home run and Leanza delivered a double and an RBI. Also, Bella Cronin tallied two singles and two RBI, Sophia Henderson produced two singles and an RBI and Chloe Peckens collected two singles. Finally, Mady Cornell and Paige Somerville singled.

“Edison is a well-coached team,” Coach Diserio said. “They are very aggressive. They are solid defensively. They are a well-rounded team.”

For Brooke, Rado delivered a single, double, home run and five RBI, Emma Bober ended up with two singles and two RBI and Maggie Diserio added two singles and a double. Also, Jazz Wood and McKinney each chipped in with a single.

Rado launched her home run in the first for Brooke, while Boka knocked one over the fence in left in the fourth before Hanlin smashed a two-run shot later in the inning for Edison.

Edison is scheduled to play Sandy Valley at 5 p.m. today on the road.

Brooke is slated to play rival Wheeling Park at 5 p.m. today at home.

“Our schedule has been non-stop,” Coach Diserio said. “We are dealing with the same weather and conditions as everyone else. Our one day off, it was 28 degrees. You are not going to be effective practicing when it is 28 degrees.”

Edison 14, Brooke 7 

Brooke 300 022 0 – 7 10 3

Edison 115 340 X – 14 14 2

BROOKE (1-5): McKinney LP (2 1/3IP, 1K, 1BB), Hornick (1 2/3IP, 0K, 0BB), Rado (2IP, 2K, 1BB) and Diserio. Diserio 2S, D; Wood S; McKinney S; Rado S, D, HR, 5RBI; Bober 2S, 2RBI.

EDISON (2-0): Leanza WP (5IP, 4K, 3BB), Stine (2IP, 0K, 0BB) and Hanlin. Cornell S; Boka S, HR, RBI; Henderson 2S, RBI; Peckens 2S; Hanlin S, D, HR, 6RBI; Cronin 2S, 2RBI; Somerville S; Leanza D, RBI.